Firefighters respond to yet another fire at former Vulcan Iron Works building
Firefighters are battling third fire at vacant property since it was destroyed by massive blaze last July
Winnipeg fire crews are once again fighting a blaze at an industrial building in North Point Douglas that's been hit with several fires since it was destroyed by one last summer.
Smoke and billowing flames could be seen coming out of the former Vulcan Iron Works building on Sutherland Avenue and Maple Street Saturday night. As of 8:25 p.m., Sutherland was closed to traffic between Austin and Argyle streets and several crews were on scene.
They first arrived just after 6:40 p.m., using chainsaws to break through the wooden fences that surround the property to access the fire tearing through the upper levels of the structure.
A city spokesperson said Saturday that Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service was responding to a significant fire involving a vacant warehouse on Sutherland Avenue and Maple Street.
"Crews are currently attacking the fire from the exterior of the structure as it is not safe to enter," the spokesperson said in an email. "It's expected that crews will be on the scene through the night."
The building was ordered to be demolished after a massive fire tore through it last July. Another blaze damaged the structure in September, with the city saying there have been several minor fires since then.
The owner of the property has appealed a city order to clean it up, saying he's fighting a contradictory order from the province requiring work to stop until measures to prevent possible asbestos contamination are taken.
The hearing was pushed back until April 22, while the owner negotiates with the province.
Sirens could be heard around the area throughout the night.
Diane Sinclair lives in the neighbourhood.
"I get worried right away. I think about homeless people," she said, while watching firefighters work on the blaze.
"[The city] should like, start fixing up places like this.…I hope there was nobody in there. Hope nobody fell asleep with a cigarette or anything."
The city said later in a release no injuries were reported, and that the fire is under investigation.
With files from Erin Brohman